PKR polls: Khalid leading in race for number 2 post… or on the brink of defeat?

(The Star) – The camp of PKR deputy president aspirant Tan Sri Khalid is claiming that the Selangor Mentri Besar is now leading the race for the party’s number two post, despite his surprising defeat as the division chief in Kuala Selangor.

A source close to Khalid told The Star Online that he now has the edge over close rival Azmin Ali with more than a 700-vote majority for the coveted position, after fresh polls were conducted at several divisions.

However, Azmin’s camp has refuted the numbers, suggesting that Khalid was already on the brink of defeat.

“Based on our calculation, Khalid received the most votes at 11 divisions in Selangor, five in Sarawak and four in Sabah. In Sabah alone, he received more than 1,700 votes,” said the source.

PKR has so far conducted re-election at 25 divisions, with the remaining two, Puchong and Kelana Jaya, to be conducted on Aug 10.

Fresh polls had to be conducted at 27 divisions following various discrepancies and irregularities in the voting process, in the election that was originally to run from April 26 to May 11.

According to the source close to Khalid, the MB has won in Kota Raja, Hulu Selangor, Kuala Selangor, Sepang, Selayang, Subang, Kapar, Klang, Shah Alam, Hulu Langat and Kuala Langat.

In Sabah, Khalid bagged most votes from Pensiangan, Keningau, Tenom and Papar.

Meanwhile, divisions in Sarawak, Limbang, Julau, Kapit, Sarikei and Batang Sadong were also said to be  in favour of Khalid.

However, Azmin’s camp insisted that the Gombak MP has not been defeated but has strengthened his lead further instead.

According to a source who requested anonymity, Azmin has so far received 20,351 votes, and Khalid was trailing with 15,767 votes as of July 1.

Meanwhile, third contender, outgoing secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, has little chance to win the post as he garnered only 9,590 votes so far.

The result did not include the votes from Subang, Sg Besar, Keningau, Pensiangan, Papar, Tenom, Kelana Jaya and Puchong.

“It is not true that Khalid is leading. Although there are votes from some divisions that are still unaccounted for, Azmin remains ahead in the race,” said the source from Azmin’s camp.

Khalid is now under pressure to relinquish his position as the Mentri Besar following his defeat as the Kuala Selangor division chief to former Kapar MP S Manikavasagam.

There are calls, especially from that of Azmin’s camp, that Khalid is no longer the choice of the grassroots and that he should resign.

Khalid also is said to become unpopular following his policies on the water industry in the state and his handling of controversial proposed highway, Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex).

His performance in the race has also been badly affected by the suspension of two of his aides, Mustapha Mohd Talib and former political secretary Faekah Hussin, by the PKR disciplinary board after they were found to have breached the party’s rules and regulations.

However, Khalid’s supporters have cried foul, claiming that there have been attempts to oust Khalid by manipulating the results, including a blackout incident during Kuala Selangor’s vote counting process.